Match book



y 22, 1941- c. c. BALDWIN 2,250,000

MATCH BOOK Filed Nv. 16, 1958 Patented July 22, 1941 snares earner FFHQE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to match books and has for its object to provide a match book, the individual match splints of which are normally housed and sealed within a protecting cover or casing having a weakened portion so that access cannot be had to said match splints to permit selective detachment and ignition thereof without first severing said weakened portion.

A further object of the invention is to provide a match book having a securing flap at one end thereof and provided adjacent said flap with a match-igniting channel, whereby when a match splint is detached from the book and the fulrninate head thereof inserted within the channel, ignition of said match may be quickly and safely ellfected by merely exerting a slight inward pressure on the walls of the book at said channel and at the same time withdrawing the match therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a match book, the construction of which is such that the cover thereof presents a maximum area of space for advertising matter and in which the match-striking material is entirely concealed within the cover, thus assuring complete protection of said striking material against moisture and dirt while at the same time affording greater safety and rendering the book more attractive in appearance.

A still further object of the invention is generally to improve this class of devices so as to increase their utility, durability and efficiency as well as to reduce the cost of manufacture.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a match book embodying the present invention, showing a match splint inserted in the receiving channel and in position to be ignited,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the match book befor the weakened portion of the cover has been cut or severed,

Figure 3 is a similar View showing the contour of the cover after the weakened portion has been severed and with the securing flap holding the cover in closed position,

Figure 4 is a plan view of the blank from which the cover is constructed.

The improved match book forming the subject-matter of the present invention comprises a protective cover or casing 5 preferably formed from a single sheet or blank of paper, cardboard or other suitable material of the construction shown in Figure 4 of the drawing. The blank is provided with spaced intermediate transverse fold lines 6 and 7 defining a top wall 8 and front and rear Walls 9 and [8 adapted to be folded on said fold lines to produce a cover normally of the general shape and contour illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing. Housed within the protective cover 5 is a match splint insert II, the individual matches I2 of which are adapted to be selectively detached therefrom as occasion may require. The front wall 9 of the blank is provided adjacent its free end with a transversely disposed weakened portion [3 defining a securing flap Hi. This weakened portion l3 may be formed either by scoring the paper or perforating the same or in any other suitable manner, and disposed at opposite ends of the weakened portion l3 are notches or indentations [5 to facilitate severance of said weakened portion when it is desired to obtain access to the match splints.

The inner surface of the blank at the lower corner of the front wall it thereof is coated with suitabl match-striking material l6 which material is entirely housed between the front and rear walls of the cover when the blank is folded so as to conceal and protect said material from moisture, dirt and the like.

In assembling the match book, the blank is folded along the lines 6 and I, after which the match splint insert is introduced between the walls of the cover and secured thereto by a staple or other fastening device It which extends through the flap M, as shown. It will here be noted that the insert serves to space the front and rear walls, thereby defining a receiving channel I! within which a match splint may be inserted when it is desired to ignite the same, as when the blank is folded, the match-striking material l6 will be positioned on one or more walls of the receiving channel. When the blank is folded in the manner set forth, the top wall 8 will normally be disposed at an angle or inclination with respect to the front and rear walls of the cover while the securing flap [4 will be integral with the front wall thereby sealing the match splints within the cover and preventing access thereto until the weakened portion i3 is severed. By constructing the cover in this manner the front and rear walls thereof are entirely unobstructed so as to present maximum space for advertising matter while at the same time permitting said match book to be compactly arranged within a container for transportation or shipment.

When it is desired to use the match book, the

front wall 9 is severed along the weakened portion [3 and a match splint detached from the insert and introduced within the channel H. The free end of the front wall is then inserted beneath the free end of the flap i4 and a slight inward pressure exerted on the front and rear walls of the cover at said flap while at the same time withdrawing the match splint from the receiving channel, thereby effecting ignition of the fulminate head of the match with safety. Owing to the normal inclination of the top wall 8 of the cover, the free end of the front wall 9 may be readily inserted beneath the securing fiap l4 after the, weakened portion I3 has been severed, the surplus cover material encompassing the match heads compensating for the movement of the front wall when inserted beneath the securing flap, as best shown in Figure 3 of the drawing. It will, furthermore, be noted that the ends of the front and rear walls are disposed flush with the adjacent end of the insert I I and that the receiving channel I! opens through the adjacent end of the match book at one side of the cover so as to permit the convenient insertion in and removal of the match splints from the receiving channel.

It will, of course, be understood that the match holders may be made in different sizes and shapes and constructed of any suitable material without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A match book comprising a plurality of match splints, a cover enclosing the match splints and including normally connected front and rear walls of different lengths, the longer wall being provided adjacent one end of the book with a transverse weakened portion adapted to be severed to permit detachment and removal of the match splints, said weakened portion defining a securing flap for overlapping engagement with the severed portion of said long wall for holding the cover in closed position.

2. In a match book including an insert of match splints, a one-piece cover for said book comprising front and back walls hingedly connected by a surplus of material encompassing the match heads and overlapping the insert to provide a lateral space at one side of said insert for a fulminate coating on the inner face of either Wall, the opposed overlapping cover wall serving to protect said fulminate, the insert being secured to the walls of the cover at the free ends of said cover, one of the walls being weakened on a transverse line spaced from the secured end of the cover and adapted to be severed at said weakened portion for exposing the match splints and fulminate for use, the said surplus material providing the means whereby the severed end of the weakened cover wall may be tucked under the contiguous severed end portion of the same wall for temporarily closing the cover.

CHARLES C. BALDWIN. 

